Operating since 1981, GASCO is a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and is one of the biggest industrial projects in the UAE. One of the largest gas processing companies in the world, GASCO has four processing plants including the main Ruwais Fractionation plant which can process 23,370 tonnes per day (7.8 million tonnes per year).

With officials of the Ruwais plant planning to double its capacity in 2008, they decided it was a priority to enhance security, safety and plant operations with the installation of the advanced CEM AC2000 SE (standard edition) access control system. The system design incorporated CEM S9032 IP controllers to control remote areas of the large plant.

"The general contractor of the entire GASCO Ruwais project opted to install the industry-proven and innovative AC2000 SE (standard edition) security solution to secure multiple buildings throughout the large Ruwais plant," comments Francesco Pisano, oil & gas market manager, Wormald, Italy "Using S9032 IP controllers the system will monitor all critical doors and emergency points, with third party Deister readers using CEM DCM 150 door control modules installed at remote buildings and connected to the central server by means of HDSL modem connection" Pisano continues.

Incorporating a Linux-based central server, the client opted to use CEM S9032 IP-based controllers for site entry/exit control at many of its plant locations. Using Ethernet connectivity the S9032 controller offers the client the benefit of remote administration and ability to remotely monitor alarms. Thanks to the internal controller database, all readers continue to operate offline even if HDSL communication is lost with the central server database, ensuring that doors are secured and monitored at all times.

"AC2000 SE is ideal for petrochemical sites such as the GASCO Ruwais plant as it has been installed at similar sites throughout the world where security is of the utmost importance," comments Andrew Fulton, business development director of Tyco International's CEM products "AC2000 SE offers the client a highly stable means of controlling site access and incorporates a sophisticated suite of software modules including "zone monitor" that helps the client monitor movement in their unique environment" adds Fulton.

The "zone monitor" software module provides a real time display and numerical counter of all personnel in the GASCO plant at any point in time, including an advanced report of staff in the particular area zone in which they are operating.

The AC2000 SE security management system aids GASCO's Health, Safety and Environment Policies and their vision of world-class management of its gas plants.